Over 100 Organizations Call for Immediate Ceasefire to Address Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

A coalition of over 100 organizations, including well-known humanitarian groups like Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, and Save the Children, is calling on governments to prioritize reaching a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. They express deep concern as aid workers have joined the ranks of the starved, facing gunfire simply to provide for their families amid a dire Israeli blockade.

In a statement released on Wednesday, these organizations highlighted the grim reality faced by their teams, who are witnessing their colleagues suffer from malnutrition and starvation. Reports indicate that the violence at food distribution centers in Gaza is increasing, with the United Nations confirming hundreds of fatalities among those seeking aid. Nearly two million Palestinians have been forcibly displaced, with restrictions confining them to a small fraction of the territory.

The World Food Programme has condemned the current conditions as unsustainable and reaffirmed that using starvation as a weapon is a violation of international law. The NGOs describe a scenario where Palestinians are caught in a relentless cycle of hope followed by devastation, waiting for assistance that does not arrive as conditions worsen. They emphasize the need for a reliable humanitarian response rather than empty promises.

Furthermore, these organizations are demanding that governments cease relying on bureaucratic processes and recognize the inefficacy of current strategies. They urge for immediate action to secure a permanent ceasefire, eliminate administrative hurdles, and ensure unrestricted access for humanitarian aid throughout Gaza. They advocate for a government-led effort to end the siege by ceasing weapons transfers and noted that they still possess the capacity to provide substantial assistance if allowed access.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society has described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as catastrophic, with rising cases of malnutrition—particularly affecting children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Al Jazeera and the AFP Journalist Association have echoed this plea, stressing the critical need for decisive action to protect not only civilians but also the journalists covering this crisis. They warn of the severe repercussions of inaction, which may result in a future devoid of journalists to communicate these urgent stories.

In response to the humanitarian aid stagnation, COGAT has reported a significant drop in aid collection efforts, revealing that many trucks carrying crucial supplies are simply waiting at crossings into Gaza. This bottleneck is recognized as the primary barrier to ensuring a steady flow of aid to those in desperate need.